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Thursday, January 1, 2015
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Unemployment continues its fall Local unemployment down 0.4 percent By Ken Schroeder Shaw Media Service
According to the new monthly unemployment figures from the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) just released for November 2014, things continue to improve in the state’s job
market. The state as a whole fared well with unemployment statewide at 6.0 percent, down from October’s 6.6 percent. Locally, the news was good but not up to the state average. Bureau County’s numbers shrank to 7.2 percent unemployment compared to October’s 7.6 and
November 2013’s 9.3 percent. Nationwide, the unemployment figure stands at 5.5 percent down from last month’s 6.0 percent. “Our local economies continue to grow at a steady, deliberate pace, just as they have throughout the year,” IDES Director Jay Rowell said. “Diverse economies such as Illinois’ move deliberately because we have exposure in multiple sectors. Worker training programs driven by the
private sector will lead to a more nimble workforce in a better position to qualify for unfilled job opportunities.” The news is not as rosy for neighboring counties. LaSalle County’s unemployment stayed steady at 7.9 percent, the same as October and down from November 2013’s 11.0 percent. And while most of the state continues to see unemployment shrink, Putnam County isn’t following the trend. Following last month’s figure of 6.6
percent, Putnam County’s unemployment percentage has inched up to 7.1 percent. “November data follow trends established earlier this year. More people describe themselves working than one year ago and the labor force remains stable. Help-wanted advertising continues to be steady,” IDES Media Relations Director Greg Rivara said. “Declines in professional and business services are concentrated in temporary
help and likely are seasonal. Declines in retail trade are curious and could reflect more online purchasing activity rather than at brickand-mortar storefronts.” The greatest job growth statewide was seen in the education and health services industry. The lowest unemployment figure in the state belongs to Henderson County where only 4.3 percent of the populace are unemployed. Comment on this story at www.bcrnews.com.
Happy New Year!
Looking back on 2014 Compiled by Donna Barker news@bcrnews.com
Editor’s note: This is the third story in an ongoing series highlighting the happenings of 2014.
July
Week 1: Residents of seven Bureau County communities will be asked what they want done with their post offices. The U.S. Postal Service has sent surveys to the residents of Buda, Bureau, Cherry, DePue, Seatonville, Sheffield and Wyanet to explain four options before them and to notify residents of upcoming public meetings on the proposed changes as part of the U.S. Postal Service’s Post Plan. Week 2: The Princeton City Council throws the city’s hat into the ring in seeking to become a site for a medical marijuana cultivation center. The council votes 4 to 1 to endorse using a site in the southwest corner of the Princeton Logistics Center as the location for a future medical marijuana cultivation center, if Princeton would be selected by the state as a facility site. Commissioner Bob Warren votes no on the motion. Week 3: The Bureau Fire Department is building up its identity as construction of its new facility progresses. The frame structure for the new building, which will house the fire department’s five fire trucks and
2014 Page 4 Year 169 No. 1 Two Sections - 24 Pages
© Bureau County Republican
BCR photo/Goldie Currie
3 ... 2 ... 1! Happy New Year! Lori Rumbold (right) along with her daughter, Katlyn, both of Wyanet, help ring in the New Year with some 2015 spirit.
Old ways to bring in the new ... year New Year’s Eve traditions from around the world By Zita Henneberry zhenneberry@bcrnews.com
New Year’s Eve traditions and superstitions stretch far and wide,
from eating grapes when the bell strikes 12 ... to wearing the right color of underwear. People have found traditions to inspire luck, prosperity, love and more.
According to an old Irish custom, banging bread on the walls will scare away evil spirits. However, wearing white is said to do the same thing in Brazil. In Argentine, at exactly midnight, it is tradition to step forward with your right foot to start the year off with … your right foot.
Locally, however, Spring Valley Mayor Walt Marini and Princeton Elementary School Superintendent Tim Smith said they traditionally bring in the new year with their family and loved ones. Like many all over the world, they enjoy starting off the year with the people they love most.
Australians have a popular tradition where they walk through the streets banging on pots and pans at midnight. While in Russia, people will write down a wish on a scrap of paper before they burn it, throw it in their champagne glass, and then
New Year Page 3